7th Anual Bartons Cove Gathering Feb. 2nd

[Jschumacher]

Spoke with Flagg's bait yesterday. There Pike bait or what they call xtra heavys are also in the 4.5" range. If you can get out befroe then try jigging up some yellow perch 6" to 10" will work also. Pike love perch.

[capt.shay]

If someone just gets totally jammed up on bait PM me.  I might have a few extra in the freezer but not a ton.

My best friends boy landed two pike last Sunday on Pipiones bait so that size will work but it is kind of like a lot of things in life, bigger is better.

I've landed several pike on perch as well.

And, let's not forget to look around on the ice for something to throw on a hook.  It's worked twice now.

[BaitBucket]

All packed up, and ready to roll out!!
Damn! 2 more days to go   

[flaggs]

All packed up, and ready to roll out!!
Damn! 2 more day to go   

Like a little kid in the 2nd grade, waiting for the field trip to the zoo on Friday!  this is how I feel every thursday or friday during Ice seaon 

good luck man.... and mix up a few on me    And good luck to all! have a blast!  I am volunteering at the 'teach a kid to ice fish' event on whitehall... 
Capt. Don't count me out on getting back out there before Ice Out pal... I have a need to divide and conquer!...   

Flaggs!

[BaitBucket]

Indeed man. Went thru the same thing last weekend when I was headed out west.
Barely slept the night before lol.

[BaitBucket]

Lookin sexy!!



I made this up real quick like to help with the organization. Just so everyone has an idea and doesnt get all spread out.

Capt, if you want me to change or add anything lemme know.

[stripernut]

Bait bucket, just so no one is looking around, the parking is to the right of the boat access...

[New Pilgrim]

Hey Cap't and Stripernut... I shall be there after lunch. Taking the little ones swimming in the AM. Gonna aim for the second shift, see what I can do. I might have an atomic hook set up my sleeve. Cheers!

-New Pilgrim

[stripernut]

Look forward to seeing you, New Pilgrim!

[PeterSaloom]

Is it too late for me sign up? I was holding out for a derby I was going to do but an ice report just came in and its well.....liquid rather than solid. Anything I could bring? Is my 10" Jiffy overkill for the conditions?

[BaitBucket]

Ehh, if u got an 8 that should do. With the pike in there i wouldnt use a 6inch.
Never to late to sign up man.

[PeterSaloom]

Its the only gas auger I got, so I guess its what I'm bringing. I want to get a 6" bit for it as well though at some point but its almost $200

[capt.shay]

Here is a picture of the main entrance taken about two hours ago.  Forgot my camera so it
is a crappy cell phone shot.  It's good enough to show everything high and dry.


There is a plank you can see on the right that is up on high ground not being used.  As of 4:30 you could have driven a vehicle on.  It could go up some but as you can see, the locals have it covered.  25-100 people fish this place every weekend of the season and have done so for ever.  We'll get on safely.

As to the ice itself, about what I expected.  Six inches or so every where I checked .  However, like probably all ice east of the Berks, some old holes have grown in to man traps with river-lets running across the ice five inches deep from rain water and the old fire pits are looking scary. We will need to exercise caution.  Also, out toward the center had that "gray ice" look that I don't like, but I rode across it any way.  I think the next 36 hours of sub freezing weather will take care of most of these problems.  But until then, if you go there I would stay near the inner cove and the shore lines.

As for the fishing, I spoke an uber-regular who said he had his best day of the season so far today.  Lots of big bass and crappie (no pike bait out).  He said at one point his flasher was marking an eight foot thick school of crappie.  But lord knows if they will be there Sat.?   The other two guys I approached smiled at me and in broken english said "no fish"

I'll try to get back there tomorrow afternoon if I can but I can't promise that.

[BaitBucket]

Its the only gas auger I got, so I guess its what I'm bringing. I want to get a 6" bit for it as well though at some point but its almost $200

Ill have my Ion, its an 8in. Ill punch any holes you need if you dont wanna haul your pig out.

[PeterSaloom]

Ill have my Ion, its an 8in. Ill punch any holes you need if you dont wanna haul your pig out.

Baitbucket, Thanks I think I might have to take you up on it. I'll bring it out just in case though. I don't like to use it in less than 5 inches of ice.

[justlooking9]

I figured I would post now that it is T-minus 18 hours until lift off. I have been preparing like a mad man for this, the 7th annual Barton’s Cove Gathering Extravaganza! I believe I have only missed this one of a kind event once in its existence.  I plan to never miss it again, especially this year with the first ever Barton’s Cove FREE raffle, chuck full of wonderful  prizes. Three Cheers, for the Capt. for once again putting this event on. I have included a list of what I am bringing below.

1)   Hovercraft , I should be able to get on and off the ice without issue
2)   15ft bridge, I bought it off Ebay, should be good for the rest of you to use
3)   20” Nuclear auger packed and ready to go, Want a big hole in case I get the big one
4)   Grandma’s homemade skirt for Paula and the rest of the “girls”
5)   No bait, should be plenty on the ice to use


Capt let me know if anything last minute is needed. Look forward to seeing/meeting you all tomorrow. Take care

[capt.shay]

Sounds like a pretty good list there Dave 

And the weather is looking pretty good as well. high near 27. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

Could we actually have a gathering without gale force winds?

[mr tip up]

DOES ANY BODY KNOW HOW MUCH ICE IS ON BARTONS COVE HOWS THE PIKE FIFHIN BEEN

[JustOsmo]

DOES ANY BODY KNOW HOW MUCH ICE IS ON BARTONS COVE HOWS THE PIKE FIFHIN BEEN

few posts up,

Here is a picture of the main entrance taken about two hours ago.  Forgot my camera so it
is a crappy cell phone shot.  It's good enough to show everything high and dry.
(Image removed from quote.)

There is a plank you can see on the right that is up on high ground not being used.  As of 4:30 you could have driven a vehicle on.  It could go up some but as you can see, the locals have it covered.  25-100 people fish this place every weekend of the season and have done so for ever.  We'll get on safely.

As to the ice itself, about what I expected.  Six inches or so every where I checked .  However, like probably all ice east of the Berks, some old holes have grown in to man traps with river-lets running across the ice five inches deep from rain water and the old fire pits are looking scary. We will need to exercise caution.  Also, out toward the center had that "gray ice" look that I don't like, but I rode across it any way.  I think the next 36 hours of sub freezing weather will take care of most of these problems.  But until then, if you go there I would stay near the inner cove and the shore lines.

As for the fishing, I spoke an uber-regular who said he had his best day of the season so far today.  Lots of big bass and crappie (no pike bait out).  He said at one point his flasher was marking an eight foot thick school of crappie.  But lord knows if they will be there Sat.?   The other two guys I approached smiled at me and in broken english said "no fish"

I'll try to get back there tomorrow afternoon if I can but I can't promise that.

(Image removed from quote.)

[mr tip up]

THANKS  JUSTOSMO DID NOT SEE IT

[JustOsmo]

no problemo

[F.R.E.D.]

Just made a quick modifcation to sled and loaded it up. I can smell the fear.

[capt.shay]

Just got back from the cove and everything is looking good.  The river has not gone up at all.  It still could, but it would have to be a lot before we would have any kind of problem. Right now, wheelers would have no problem.  A lot of the old hole areas were looking better but there were still a few shaky looking areas that I walked around.  I did not go out to the middle but people had drilled several holes out there so I'm thinking it was ok.  Just use common sense folks. 

This is the exact spot I had to dance on water a couple of weeks ago:


In all her glory:


Another shanty appeared on the inner cove today.  I will be set up to the right of it.


Well, this will be my last post unless anyone ask specific questions.  I have a last minute sled repair to do and some food prep.  Looking forward to seeing you all in the morning.  Please stop by and introduce yourself, I will be wearing the hat that is in my signature.

Don't forget EVERY ONE 11:30 meet up/raffle. 
Bring food to share also if you have some.

[PeterSaloom]

What time is everyone meeting up tomorrow?

[polishpunk75]

How's the ice down by the boat ramp?

[rickyriged]

aloha my shanty friends
i know its last minute but me and my buddy justin b a new guy to the site
are gonna come out and try and get us one of them there pike
we are heading out in 2 hours and ten minutes
hope the car makes it lol

[FullTmeDad]

Good luck to everyone! I had to have emergency surgery yesterday and they won't let me make the drive. Hopefully we will have another chance to get together soon.

[jonserfish1]

Good luck to everyone! I had to have emergency surgery yesterday and they won't let me make the drive. Hopefully we will have another chance to get together soon.

hope you are ok?

[BaitBucket]

Otzi lands a nice slime dart

[BaitBucket]